What Makes a Good Friend?
Project
Summary
Friendship is a powerful force throughout our lives. It probably has the biggest
impact during adolescence. This activity helps students to explore the concept of
"friendship,". through discussions amongst themselves and their distant peers.
Suggested Grade Level and Audience
5rd through 12th
Estimated Time Required
2-4 weeks
Student Learning Objectives
- To determine qualities important in friendship
- To isolate undesirable personality traits
- To discuss the importance of parental acceptance of friends
- To determine the influence friends have on behavior
- To practice writing and word processing
- To engage in a cooperative creative writing exchange with a distant school
- To communicate with a distant audience
- To engage in electronic transfer of information
Writing Prompt
Webster's dictionary defines a friend as, "One who is personally well known by oneself and for whom one has warm regard or affection." Friends usually play an important part in our lives. They influence the decisions we make and provide us with comfort and support in times of need. Some people like to have lots of friends and others prefer one or two very close ones. Do people in California look for the same qualities in friendship, as people in New York, Canada, and Australia? Let's find out!
Assignment: In cooperative writing groups, brainstorm the qualities that you think a good friend should have.
Write about the qualities you think are most important in a friendship. Your audience will be students from other states and other countries, so give examples to back up your statements. Conclude your essay by describing a time that you and your friend(s) really had a great time! Read your essays to your group or class. Finally, revise and edit your work.
What makes you chose someone as a friend?
What makes you decide not to be friends with others?
Do you have a best friend?
What's the difference between a "best friend" and just a "friend."
Do you prefer lots of friends or a few very close friends?
If someone that you don't like wants to be your friend, what do you do?
Have you ever stopped being someone's friend? Why?
What do you do if your parents don't like one of your friends?
